plot device

(idea) by SmokeyBarnable (5.6 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Sat Mar 18 2000 at 18:52:21

A standard pattern in a story, like:

Dumbo can only fly when holding a magic feather, then loses the feather and discovers...the power was inside himself all along!
Fred Flintstone is sad because nobody seems to remember his birthday, but then gets home to discover a surprise birthday party! ...Everyone remembered, after all!
Reluctant hero has to be coaxed out of retirement in order to handle ...one more challenge
Character is in impossible situation and then wakes up...it was just a dream

Basically, every story uses plot devices. All kinds of Shakespeare depends on intercepted letters and people hidden behind curtains, right?

(idea) by Robotech_Master (4.8 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Wed Apr 26 2000 at 3:53:30

An event included for the sole purpose of moving the plot of a story along. Referred to by Alfred Hitchcock as a McGuffin.

There is nothing wrong with plot devices when used in moderation. However, excessive use of plot devices can lead to cliche, or, at its most extreme, to the Disney formula, or else to deus ex machina.

(thing) by Tsarren (6.6 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Sun May 07 2000 at 23:36:17

Plot devices in role playing games include things like: the party is sent on a quest of some sort, the party is given the opportunity to do some exploring, the party is going to get paid for doing something, or the party notices strange happenings and goes to investigate. Also, one of the party members gets captured and must be rescued, one of the party members is being pursued by someone or something, or one of the party members has a dark secret which might have all sorts of nasty consequences if it gets out. The weaving together of plot devices makes a plot (usually).

printable version
chaos

Deus Ex Machina	McGuffin	plot hole	Sextraterrestrial
Victorian Novel Disease	Axel Torvalds	Also starring a telephone as "The Telephone"	plot
Sheep In The Big City	Anime ain't anime without tentacle rape	Aelfinn	Fred Flintstone
character device	How to spot bad internet porn stories	Eelfinn	clich�
sexual tension	Residual Self Image	Manga Murder	The Four Horsemen
Saucer Separation	The Enchanter	Cathy Martin and the tunnel of fire	House, MD

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